Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, next line: funding for Native American small business grant, $600,000.
• So we had a discussion on the line item that says adds funding for Native American small business grant
• Speaker, I move that we appropriate $1.5 million to the... $5 million to the Safety Council, North Dakota

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• The museum's 270-gallon aquarium, stocked with native Minnesota fish, serves as a powerful educational
• We frequently serve as guest speakers for civic organizations like the Lions Club, Exchange Club, and
• The museum's 270-gallon aquarium, stocked with native Minnesota fish, serves as a powerful educational
• We frequently serve as guest speakers for civic organizations like the Lions Club, Exchange Club, and
• She said Marshall-Lyon County Library brought Native American author Anton Troyer to their corner of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.

Bills: HR188, HR189, HR190, HR191, HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, SCR24, SCR36, SCR39, SB64, SB107, SB152, SB185, SB217, SB232, SB278, SB290, SB294, SB320, SB321, SB419, SB424, SB436, SB440, SB468, SB470, SB476, SB482, SB489, HCR32, SCR11, HB12, HB42, HB205, HB222, HB267, HB324, HB325, HB350, HB478, HB610, HB617, HB679, HB745, HB749, HB797, HB807, HB821, HB896, HB979, HB992, HB1000, HB1024, HB1050, HB1166, HB1172, HB1173, HB1193, HB1207, HB1218, HB1223, SB256, SB180, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB31, HB225, HB608, HB664, HB897, HB977, HB1003, HB1160, HB1180, HB911, HB306, HB366, HB1161, HB1230, HB181, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB772, HB773, HB996, HB1035, HB1058, HB1082, HB1113, HB1189, HB1234, HB1240

Keywords: hunting dogs, field trials, working dogs, dog training, greyhound protection, Farm Bill, federal overreach, sportsmen, sportswomen, wildlife management, conservation, rural communities, Louisiana hunting, hunting tradition, animal welfare, dog breeders, dog owners, outdoor recreation, Kathy Taylor, musical achievements

Transcript Highlights:

• I do allow a little leeway, mainly because I'm a slower speaker, and, you know, sometimes speaking a
• trout stream easement areas and native trout stream easement areas and native prairie<00:03:51.320
• > prairie prairie prairie of na- native prairie prairie prairie of na- native prairie bank<00:
• I'm so welcomed by the native folks. My 50 years in this country, no one told me to go home.
• I'm so welcomed by the native folks. My 50 years in this country, no one told me to go home.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is how we tell it in the Native American Studies program at UN, and we call it migration stories
• AHS-eligible Native Americans and Alaska Natives and non-Native populations enrolled in Cibola County
• American or Alaskan Native in need of health care.
• And, of course, the needs—we looked at the population base, and so, specifically for Native Americans
• To be able to provide health care to non-Native communities would be a goal, but in saying that, I told

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker had never assigned it. It had never been assigned to this committee.
• But when it was determined it's never been assigned by the Speaker's office or by the Speaker on the
• And so it was referred by the Speaker. I visited with Ranking Member Brown. She had a bill.
• But when it was determined, it's never been assigned by the speaker's office or by the speaker on the
• And so it was referred by the speaker. I visited with Ranking Member Brown. She had a bill.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment striking the section that would have imposed a 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales. After a recap of the bill’s remaining provisions, including a $400 million seed amount and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenue, the committee heard brief support from Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association and no opposition. The amended bill then passed on a roll-call vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction projects, while eliminating an exemption for certain road, highway, utility, and maintenance work. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, the building trades council, and apprenticeship advocates, argued the bill would expand training, help address labor shortages, and provide a return on public investment. Opponents from utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico said they already operate federally approved in-house training programs, warned the bill would raise project costs, and argued some trades have no accessible approved programs. Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing in-house programs, whether rural contractors and nonunion firms would be affected, and whether the state-approved fund and federal highway training requirements could conflict. A proposed amendment to exempt projects of $50 million or less was introduced but tabled. After extensive debate, the committee voted 6-5 to pass HB 270. The meeting also included discussion of a prior procedural error in which HB 270 had been heard before being properly assigned, which the chair said rendered that earlier action void. At the end of the meeting, the committee received a brief New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 presentation on district projects, budget, and construction status.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker today, I promise you. Madam President, will Senator O'Malley yield?
• If I understand your native New Mexican... Madam Chair, Madam President.
• With Spanish and with the Native Americans that were already here.
• Are you native New Mexican also? Madam President's Senator? Madam President, Senator, yes I am.
• our Native New Mexicans, not just the Hispanics, but the Native Americans also.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker Pro Tem. Amen. Mr.
• Speaker Pro Tem.
• Speaker Pro Tem, Representative Olson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. I rise to explain my vote.
• Speaker, thank you.
• A proclamation sponsored by Speaker Steve B.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's our first speaker? Our first speaker, Mr. Chairman, is James Rogers.
• Who's our first speaker? Our first speaker, Mr. Chairman, is James Rogers. Okay.
• Seeing none, we'll move on to our next speaker. Next speaker is Edward Steele.
• Seeing none, we’ll go to the next speaker. Next speaker is Gail Esposito. Mr.
• Seeing none, all right, our next speaker. Next speaker is Noah James Markham.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Travis Moore, you are recognized to represent Oceana and Florida Native Plant Society.
• Travis Moore, you are recognized to represent Oceana and Florida Native Plant Society.
• And before I get to that, very briefly, I want to mention just to follow up on the previous speaker.
• I had mentioned earlier to keep it to two minutes, so I need to go to the next speaker.
• We have a lot of speakers and several bills to hear. Thank you. Yes. Thank you, Chair.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and considered a series of environmental, water, waste, boating, and land-use bills. SB 834 on recreational fishing vessel licenses was briefly explained as aligning licensure rules for freshwater and saltwater captains and was reported favorably. SB 1208 on service lateral assessment and rehabilitation would require periodic CCTV inspections, a seven-year assessment cycle, and a long-term public database for sewer laterals; county representatives opposed it over private-property and cost concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 978 on advanced wastewater treatments, as amended, would require DEP reports and a long-term prioritization plan for upgrading large wastewater facilities to advanced treatment; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1822 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of certain packaging and define the term in statute. The sponsor argued it would reduce a patchwork of local rules and help businesses, while opponents from environmental groups, local advocates, and some local governments warned it would weaken plastic and foam restrictions, including in parks and coastal communities. Despite substantial opposition and several senators expressing concern, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 384 on notice for annexation of state-owned lands, after a technical amendment requiring written or email notice to legislative delegations, and reported it favorably. SB 1008 on waste incineration would bar new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within a half-mile of residential, commercial, or school property. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at preventing another fire-related incident like the Doral plant and clarified it was intended to apply only to new facilities, not existing ones; waste-to-energy and county representatives opposed it as too restrictive, while several senators sought clarifying changes. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute amendment to CS for SB 594 on port channel and turning basin buffer zones, reducing the proposed anchoring setback from 5,000 feet to 2,500 feet and allowing ports to create buffer zones after public hearings and rulemaking; the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, SB 830 on lost or abandoned property, aimed at streamlining removal of migrant vessels that pose navigational and environmental hazards, was reported favorably after brief support testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Native pollinators are important also for.
• But around the globe, many native pollinators have declining populations.
• As far as native bees go, a lot of times they're reliant more on the native vegetation and a diverse,
• It is, as the previous speaker said, not an equitable crisis.
• I agree with all of the public speakers that spoke.

Transcript Highlights:

• The speaker said that, realistically, the total cost would be the $124 million to $134 million range
• The speaker said the estimate would be on the low end and that things generally do not get cheaper.
• against the Secretary of State alleging that the redistricting plan diluted the voting strength of Native
• district court struck down the map passed by the Legislative Assembly, stating that it prevented Native

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized. Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher. After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bernalillo County Manager Cindy Chavez, Bernalillo County Attorney Ken Martinez, former Speaker of the
• But in the state of New Mexico, 28% in ages 20 to 24, Native American mothers aborted these babies.
• President, also ages 25 to 29, there is 28.3% Native American mothers aborted these babies. Mr.
• If you include Hispanic, Black, and Native American, 92 percent are minorities.
• As a Latino male, native New Mexican, I tell you I stand with my vote for the state of New Mexico and

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Thank you, Speaker.
• Speaker Damath.
• Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move a recess to the call of the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker.
• Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Thank you, speaker and members.
• Thank you Madam Speaker, today I rise on behalf of the California Native American Legislative Caucus
• Speaker and colleagues.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 18, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that also mean for Women’s History Month, Native American...
• There are a number of examples, like the Native American question.
• Chairman, Senators, you've asked speakers to limit themselves to 30 seconds. That's a tough one.
• Seeing none, we do have a lot of speakers' cards. to be cards to the fact. All right.
• Seeing none, we do have a lot of speakers' cards.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations. Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker.
• Speaker.
• Speaker.<00:28:19.600> Members, Speaker. Members, Speaker.
• <00:37:42.359> Speaker. today, Mr. Speaker. today, Mr. Speaker.
• <00:38:48.800> Speaker, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, Mr. Speaker, Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• could thanks they can certainly speakers could thanks they can certainly certainly<00:13:29.399>
• <00:14:00.880> plants and native plants and native plants um<00:14:03.440> with<00:
• We are the closest community, native or non-native, in the nation to a nuclear plant and stored nuclear
• <01:36:51.480> nation<01:36:51.760> to<01:36:51.920> a native or non-native
• in the nation to a native or non-native in the nation to a nuclear<01:36:52.400> plant<01:36:52.639

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Energy Committee heard Senate File 426, authored by Senator Icorn, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap on hydropower for purposes of qualifying as an eligible energy technology under Minnesota law. Supporters said hydropower is carbon-free, reliable, flexible baseload power that can help Minnesota meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040. Testifiers from Missouri River Energy Services and Minnesota Power described existing hydropower resources, including allocations from federal Missouri River dams, Minnesota hydro stations, and Manitoba Hydro, and argued that the bill would preserve and expand options for clean energy development. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s purpose and potential environmental impacts. Senator McEwen questioned why the size limit should be removed without specific proposed projects or more information about the need for larger dams, citing concerns about fisheries, water resources, and land use. Senator Port and others asked about costs, environmental effects, and where new projects might be built. In response, supporters said the bill is intended to open the door to future projects and allow agencies to review proposals through existing permitting and environmental processes, rather than approving any specific dam. Committee members offered mixed reactions. Senator Frentz said he supported the concept but recommended laying the bill over for further discussion and possibly sending it to the Environment Committee, noting environmental concerns and the need for more conversation. Senator Gruenhagen strongly supported the bill, arguing that it merely lifts a cap while leaving permitting and review requirements in place. Senator Hoffman also supported the bill, saying current policy blocks consideration of new projects and that the change would allow regulators to evaluate proposals on their merits. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left open for further consideration.